Switch construction



Dec. 15, 1936. A. w. FRANKLIN 2,064,157

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed March 4, 1935 z INVENTOR fl/berf W. Franhll H movement.

Patented Dec. 15, .1936

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE one-hall SWI'ICIT CONSTRUCTION I Albert W. Franklin, New York, N. Y., alsignor of Edwin E. Branch, N. 3;, and Jacob Poster, Brlghtwaterl.

l in y Berger, West Long Application March 4, loss, Serial No. 9.231

11 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switch construction.

One of the objects or this inventionis to provide an improved form or mul tiposition electric switch employing a large number of terminals and contacts in exceedingly compact form. I

A further object of this invention is to provide a multicontact switch structure employing a relatively large number of contacts which may be easily assembled into a compact, rug ed structure at the expense of a minimum amount of time and equipment.

A moretspeciflc object of this invention is to provide a so-called "all wave switch of compact construction of the type now commonly used for adapting radio receivers for operation on several wave length bands.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in such structures a -supporting plate tor a plurality of combined terminal and contact members which are merely attached thereto by sliding them radially onto projections formed on a support, and then locking them in place by means of a locking plate having apertures engaging the contact portions or the terminals, and holding'them against-outward radial A still further object oi.

the invention is to provide, in combination with such a structure, a rotor having a plurality 01' contact members mounted thereon by sliding them radially onto projections on the rotor and then mounting the, rotor with respect to the supporting plate so that the contacts :on the rotor by the contact portions of the terminals.

A still further object 01' the invention is to are held thereon provide, in a switch or this type, an accurate in-' dexing and positioning means which also acts to resiliently hold the rotor when positioned.

These and many other objec ts, as will appear from the following detailed description, are secured by means of this invention:

This inventionresides substantially in the combination, relative location or parts, all

, set forth below.

Referring to the drawingconstruction, arrangement, and

Figure 1;.is a rear elevationsl view of a switchstructure in accordance with this invention;

Fig.- 2 is a'side elevatlon'al view thereof;

Pig. 3 is a front elevational view or the switch Fig. 4 is a cross sectional .vi

IhiQHOII 'iLR withthe operating'knob removed;

m aben oaths will be apparent from Fig. 4. The inner shorter.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation view oi. the switch with the rotor and shalt removed: and

Fig. 6 is a rear elevational view-of the rotor.

The switch illustrated in the drawing is or a construction which particularly adapts it for 5 use in so-called "all wave radio receivers. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art as the description proceeds that the features of construction which comprise the invention may be embodied in other switchesror all kinds of use. 10 It will also be apparent that the structure nicely adapts itself for use in so-called gang switches where a plurality of separate units are mounted upon the same operating shaft; It will also be leg, indicated at l in the various figures, formsthe contact portion 01' the terminal, while the longeror outer leg is the portion to which the circuit wires are connected. Formed on the portion 01' the terminals intermediate the legs are the ears or flaps l. which have a double bend in them so as to form a rectangular opening. This permits or the mounting of the terminals upon thesupport plate I by sliding them onto the lugs 2 in a radial direction towards the center, as will be clear from 'the structure illustrated. The terminals may, therefore, be quickly and accurately mounted upon the supportplate by simply sliding one on each or the lugs provided.

\ .40 At I is the locking plate or disc, which is lilrewise constructed or any suitable insulating material,.and is provided with a plurality oi elongated apertures arranged upon the same radius and spaced at the proper distance so that the contact portion of each terminal on the plate I will registerwith one or the apertures.

The locking plate is slipped down onto the contact portion of the terminals. as is clear for example-i'ror'n Fig. 5, so as to lock the terminals against outward radial movement by registry oi the contact'portions 8' o! the terminals in the apertures i. Interposed between the support plateIand thelockingdisciisawasherl'otaiiy tablematerialoiathickness qulltothethicku.

ness of the flaps or lugs 3' so as to properly space the plate and disc. These parts are mounted upon the reduced portion M of a bushing which has an enlarged cylindrical portion intermediate its ends and a reduced threaded portion IS. The threaded portion adapts the device for a single hole mounting on a supporting panehas illustrated forexample at l6, by means of a lock nut IS. The support'plate I, the washer 4, and the locking plate 5 fit snugly onto the reduced portion ll of the bushing.

At 1 is a metal disc which may properly be termed the indexing washer. This washer fits next to the locking plate on the reduced portion H of the bushing and is provided with an arm 1' bent at right angles thereto which registers with a pair of aligned apertures in the support I and the locking disc 5, as is clear from Fig. 4. The aperture in these plates .is so positioned as to properly position the indexing washerl. This indexing washer, as is clear from Fig. 5, is provided witha pair of spaced upstanding ears or legs 8 and. Band with the pairs of holes or depressions Ill and II. The end of thereduced portion I4 is beaded, or spun over, so as to lock all of these parts rigidly in place upon the bushing.

At IT is the operating shaft for the switch which is journaled in the bushing, as is-clear from Fig. 4. This shaft is provided with an annular groove l8 properly positioned so that the shaft may be locked in place in the bushing by means of a ring I!) which is snapped into the, groove and presses against the end of the threaded portion i3 of the bushing. At 20 is illustrated an operating knob which may be fastened to the 'shaft by means of a set screw in accordance with common practice. I v

Upon the reduced end 2| or this "shaft is mounti ed the rotor disc 22, likewise of any suitable insulating material. This disc is provided with pairs of spaced radial slots extending inwardly from the periphery to form the lugs 2% upon which the movable contacts -,aremounted, see Fig. 6. These contacts comprise the shoe or contacting portions 24 and are mounted on the rotor by sliding them radially inwardly on the lugs 23. They are held in place by means of the ears 2 5,

as is clear from Figs. 1 and 6. These contacts a pair of outwardly extending arms 21 in which are formed the small bosses 28. The' arms 24 lie in a plane slightly raised above the plane of the disc portion 26, as will be clear from Fig. 4, so that the bosses thereon may resiliently cooperate with theholes Ill and l I in the indexing washer. These arms also cooperate with the ears 8 and 9 to limit rotation of the rotor.

beaded end of the shaft presses to rotor against damage.

It will be seen that the ring IS in the groove l8 locks the shaft and the parts mountedth erecn protect the The rotor and indexing spring are locked. on the shaftby beading over i the end, as is clear fromFig; 4. A washer 30', Fig. 1, is preferably employedagainst which the of contacts mounted thereon for cooperation against longitudinal movement in one direction (to the left, Fig. 4), and permits limited longitudinal movement to the right against the resiliency of the arms 21 on the indexing spring.

In the structure shown, the ears 8 and 9 are sopositioned that the rotor may onlymove so that each contact shoe 24 may connect one of the terminals on the support plate I with eitherof the next adjacent terminals on each side thereof.

Thus, every third terminal represents a common pole which may be alternately connected to the next adjacent terminals on each side thereof.

It will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art that the proportion of the parts may be varied and the number of contacts changed so that every possible circuit combination and contact engagement may be made.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the features of this invention have a wide application and that they are not therefore limited to use in the specific structure illustrated in the drawing for the purpose of disclosing the invention. I do not, therefore, desire to be strictly limited to the disclosure, as given for purposes each, an apertured locking plate engaging said contacts to lock them against outward radial movement, a rotor journaled on said plate having contacts thereon for engagement with said terminals, and indexing means for limiting move ment of the rotor in either direction.

2. A switch as described comprising a support plate having radial lugs on the periphery, a plurality of contacts mounted on said lugs, one for each, an apertured locking plate engaging said contacts to lock them against outward radialv movement, a rotor journaled on said plate hav-,

ing contacts thereon for engagement 'with said terminals, and indexing means for limitingmovement of the rotor in either direction, said indexing means comprising a pair'of cooperat ing members one fixed on the support plate and the other on said rotor. I

3.-A switch of the type described compri an insulating support havin'g a plurality of ter minals mounted thereon, each terminal having a contact portion, an insulating locking plate engaging the contact portions of the terminals for locking them in place, a rotor journaled on said insulating support, and a plurality 6f contacts mounted on said rotor so as tobe engageable with the contact portions of the terminal members, said rotor having a plurality of radial lugs upon which its contacts are mounted.

4. In a switch of the type described, the combination comprising an insulating support, an

sing

insulating disc having a plurality of radial lugs on its periphery, a terminal member mounted on each lug, each terminal member having a contact portion extending at right angles to the portion ofeach terminal member extends whereby the terminal members are locked against out ward radial movement upon said disc, and a rotor journaled on said disc havinga plurality th, the contact portions of the terminal membe 5. In a switch of the type described, the combination comprising an insulating support, an insulating disc having a plurality of radial lugs on its periphery, a terminal member mounted on each lug, each terminal member having a contact portion extending at right angles to the plane of said disc, a locking disc having a plurality of apertures through which the contact portion of each terminal member extends whereby the terminal members are locked against outward radial movement upon said disc, a rotor journaled on said disc having a plurality of contacts mounted thereon for cooperation with the contact portions of the terminal members, an indexing washer mounted on said disc, and an indexing spring mounted on said rotor, said washer and spring cooperating to limit the movement of the rotor in either direction and to accurately position it at the limit of its movement in either direction.

- 6. In a switch structure as described, the combination comprising an insulating plate having a plurality of lugs at its periphery, a terminal member mounted on each lug, each terminal member having a contact portion extending at right angles to said disc, a bushing member mounted on said disc, a shaft journaled in said bushing member, a. locking disc mounted on said bushing and engaging the terminal members to hold them against outward radial movement, and a rotor mounted on said shaft and lying within the contact portions of the terminal members and a plurality of contacts mounted on the rotor and engageable with the contact portions of the terminal members.

7. In a switch structure as described, the combination comprising an insulating plate having a plurality of lugs at its periphery, a terminal member mounted on each lug, each terminal member having a contact portion extending at right angles to said disc, a bushing member mounted on said disc, a shaft journaled in said bushing member, a'locking disc mounted on said bushing and engaging the terminal members to hold them against outward radial movement, a rotor mounted on said shaft and lying within the contact portions of the terminal members and a plurality of contacts mounted on'the rotor and engageable with the contact portions of the terminal members, said rotor comprising a disc of insulating material having lugs on its periphery upon which the rotor contacts are mounted.

8. In a switch of the type described, the combination comprising a disc of insulating material having a plurality of radially extending lugs distributed around its periphery, a substantially U-shaped terminal member mounted on each lug by means of a pair of double bent ears forming a passage in which the lugs lie, the legs of the U-shaped terminal members extending at right angles to the plane of said disc, an apertured locking plate engaging one arm of each terminal member to lock the terminal members of said disc, and a rotor journaled on said disc having a plurality of contacts thereon for cooperating with the contact portions of the terminal members.

9. In a switch of the type described, the combination comprising a disc of insulating material having a plurality of radially extending lugs distributed around its periphery, a substantially U-shaped terminal member mounted on each lug by means of a pair of double bent ears forming a passage in which the lugs lie, the legs of the U-shaped terminal members extending at right angles to the plane of said disc, an apertured locking plate engaging one arm of each terminal member to lock the terminal members of said disc, 9. bushing mounted on said disc, a shaft journaled in said bushing, a rotor secured to said shaft, and a plurality of contacts mounted on said rotor for cooperation with the contact portions of the terminal members.

10. In a switch of the type described, the com bination comprising a disc of insulating material having a plurality of radially extending lugs distributed around its periphery, a substantially U-shaped terminal member mounted on each lug by means of a pair of double bent ears forming a passage in which the lugs lie, the legs of the U-shaped terminal members extending at right I angles to the plane of said disc, an apertured locking plate engaging one arm of each terminal member to lock the terminal members of said disc, a bushing mounted on said disc, a shaft journaled in said bushing, a rotor secured to said shaft, and a plurality of contacts mounted on said rotor for cooperation with the contact portions of the terminal members, said rotor having radial lugs upon which the contacts are mounted by inward sliding movement.

11. In a switch of the type described, the combination comprising a disc ofi insulating material having a plurality of radially; extending lugs distributed around its periphery, a substantially U-shaped terminal member mounted on each lug by means of a pair of double bent ears forming a passage in which the lugs lie, the legs of the U-shaped terminal members extending at right angles to the plane of said disc, an apertured locking plate engaging one arm of each terminal member to lock the terminal members of said disc, a bushing mounted on said disc, a shaft journaled in said bushing, a rotor secured to said shaft, a plurality of contacts mounted on said rotor for cooperation with the contact portions of the terminal members, an indexing washer mounted on said bushing, and an indexing spring mounted on said shaft for cooperating with the indexing washer to position and index the rotor.

ALBERT W. FRANKLIN. 

